Connector



Dec. 119,, 1950 G. J. HAUSMAN 2,534,970

CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 8, 1946 2 Sfi'ets-Sheet, 1

Dec 19,, 1950 G. J. HAUSMA CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 8 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. 6501? GE J. HAUS/MN BY I % W 14 T ORA/E Y.

Patented Dec. 19, 1950 CONNECTOR George J. Hausman, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to McGraw Electric Company, a corporation of Delaware Application February 8, 1946, Serial No. 646,265

3 Claims. (Cl. 24-81) This invention relates to connectors.

Objects of this invention are to provide a connector for electrically connecting conductors without requiring the use of screws, bolts, nuts or other fastening means, but which is so constructed that it inherently locks itself in place and provides an excellent electrical connection between the conductors and a firm and secure mechanical connection which will not jar loose even when severely vibrated.

Further objects are to provide a connector which is self contained, that is to say, in which all of the parts are held together in both its clamped and unclamped condition, so that there is no danger of inadvertently losing a part, and which is so made that it may be moved into clamping position or may be opened in a simple and easy manner.

Further objects are to provide a connector which is of very simple construction, which may be cheaply produced and which is reliable in operation.

In greater detail, further objects are to provide an electrical connector which furnishes a toggle action of certain of its parts to thus secure a very high contact pressure, which is so made that one or more of its members may be resilient and arranged to yield to accommodate different sizes of conductors within a given range of variation and at the same time to provide a heavy spring pressure to maintain good contact at all times even though a slight wear of the conductors may have occurred due to continued swinging or vibrating of the conductors.

which, in certain forms may have some of its parts extruded and others formed from stock material such as flat or shaped stock which may be cut into the desired lengths, and in another form in which all of its parts may be formed from flat or shaped stock material.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an end view of one form of the connector such view showing the conductors in place and the connector in open position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the connector closed.

Figure 3 is a face view of the structure shown in Figure 2 with parts broken away and in section.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are views of a further form of connector respectively showing the connector open, partly closed, and fully closed.

Figures 7, 8, and 9 are views of a further form iii! of connector respectively showing the connector open, partly closed, and fully closed.

Figure 10 is an end view of a further form of connector.

Figure 11 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a top view of the structure shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 10 taken from the opposite side of that shown in Figure 11 with parts broken away and parts in section.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figures 1, 2, and 3, it will be seen that the connector comprises an outer member or main member I formed of tough, springly metal such, for example, as spring bronze, spring brass or other similar material. The ends of the member I are inwardly turned as indicated at 2 and 3 and are adapted to receive the conductors 4 and 5. A. two-part toggle member is provided and comprises a first toggle member 6 and a second toggle member I. These toggle members are provided with recessed or grooved portions 8 and 9 adapted to receive the conductors 5 and 4 respectively, as will be seen from Figure 2 which figure shows the connector in clamped or closed position. The members 6 and 7 are joined in a simple manner by providing a cylindrical part Ill on the inner end of the member I which is received within a cylindrical recessed portion H on the inner part of the member 6. Preferably, the recess H includes slightly more than a semi-cylinder, that is to say, portions of the member 6 overhang the Further ob ects are to provide a connector cylindrical part In of the member 1 and thus prevent detachment of these members. The member i can readily be assembled with the member 6 by sliding it into position from the end of the member 6. The member 6 is prevented from detaching itself from the member I by means of a spring [2 which is secured to both the members I and 6. In using the connector the conductors 4 and 5 are located as shown in Figure 1 within the over-'- hanging end portions 2 and 3 of the main member or body member I. Thereafter the toggle is closed as shown in Figure 2 by forcing the member 5 inwardly as far as it will go. The inward motion of the members 6 and l is limited by the engagement of the shoulder l3 formed on-the member 5 with the adjacent face of the member 1 as shown in Figure 2. The toggle is arrested center has just been passed as is apparent from- Figure 2, and thus the toggle constitutes a selflocking toggle in the position shown in Figure 2.

A lip I4 is formed on the inner end of the member 6 and is spaced outwardly from the shoulder l3 so as to provide a slot or gap l5 for the reception of the end of a screw driver or other similar tool when it is desired to pry the toggle open so as to allow removal of the connector from the conductors.

The body portion or outer member is a stiff spring and yields slightly to accommodate the closing of the toggle and allow the toggle to pass dead center and yet maintain a heavy yielding pressure on the conductors. It is preferable to make all of the members I, 6 and l constituting the main parts of the connector of a metal having good electrical conductivity.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, it will be seen that substantially the same principle has been followed as that described hereinabove. The main member 6 has inwardly turned upper and lower end portions ll and 18 within which the conductors I9 and 20 are received. The larger member of the two toggle elements is indicated by the reference character 20 and is very similar to the member 6 hereinabove described. It is, however, provided with an inwardly turned lip 2| which fits loosely through an opening 22 formed in the end of the portion 48 of the main member .|-6. Also the member 20 is provided with a channel-shaped recess 23 adapted to receive a screw driver or similar tool when it is desired to pry the toggle open. If desired, a slot similar to that shown at i5 in Figure 2 could be employed in place of the channel-like recess 23. The other element of the toggle is indicated by the reference character 24 and is provided with a cylindrical part 25 which fits within the cylindrical opening 25 formed in the member 20', the member 20 slightly overhanging the cylindrical portion 25 of the member 24.

In this form of the invention the face 26' of the member 20' contacts the adjacent face of the member .24 and thus limits inward rocking of the toggle as is apparent from an examination of Figure .6.

The member I6 is formed of tough, springy metal as described in accordance with the first form of the invention and preferably all of the .1.

members 16, 2D, and 24 are formed of metal having good electrical conductivity.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 7, 8, and '9 the main member is indicated by the reference character 21. It .is' provided with inwardly turned portions 28 at one end which receive the trunnions 29 formed at the sides of the member 30 of the toggle. The other member 3| of the toggle corresponds identically with the member 24 in the second form of the invention and is socketed within the member 30 in exactly the same manner. The member 3!] is provided with a, channel 30 adapted to receive a screw driver or other tool for prying the toggle open.

The other end of the main member or outer member 21 is provided with a relatively long inwardly tumed lip 32 which with the adjacent portion of the member 2'! forms an elongated recess adapted'to receive both of the conductors 3 3 and 34 as shown in Figure 7. The toggle is closed in exactly the same manner as that previously described and rocks slightly past dead center as-shown in Figure 9. The parts as hereinbefore described are formed of a metal having high electrical conductivity and the main 'body 4 portion 21 is formed, as stated, of springy mate'- rial so as to have a high yielding contact pressure maintained at all times.

In each of the forms of the invention thus far given, the main body portion can be formed from stock metal and the two elements of the toggle member can be extruded, machined or otherwise produced.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 10 through 13 every element of the connector can beformed from stock material and may be formed either from flat stock subsequently shaped or from shaped stock out into suitable lengths or if desired one or more of the elements may be formed as previously described either from extruded material or by machining.

Additionally, in the form of the invention shown in Figures 10 through 13 the yielding may occur in the main member or in one of the toggle members or in both of such members as will be apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to Figures 10 through 13 the main or outer member is indicated by the reference character 35. This member is provided with inwardly turned end portions .36 and 3]. The end portion 31 is provided with a small slot :38 to receive a screw driver for opening the toggle. The end portion 36 is provided with an aperture 3.9 through which, .a tongue portion 48 of one element 4| of the toggle projects. The member 41 of the toggle is provided with an inwardly folded or looped portion 42 and has an aperture 43 formed adjacent such portion. This aperture receives the tongue-like part 44 of the other element 45 of the toggle. The .element 45 is provided with a lip 46 having .a rounded face 4] adapted .to engage one of the conductors 48. The lower part of the member 4| is similarly rounded as indicated at 4,9 and is adapted to bear against the other conductor "50.

The tongues 40 and 44 are slightly spread or riveted at their ends as shown in Figure 11 so as to prevent inadvertent detachment of the members of the toggle from each other or detachment of the member 4| from the main member 35 of the connector. It is clear that the members '35, 4| and 45 of the connector may be formed from flat stock subsequently shaped or may be formed from shaped stock cut into suitable lengths to form the members, the tongues 49 and 44 being subsequently formed by machining or in any suitable manner. If desired, the members 35, 4| and 45 may be otherwise formed without departing from the spirit of this invention.

It is to be noted that when the toggle is in closed position that the adjacent faces of the members 4| and 45 contact and thus limit inward motion of the toggle. The parts are so arranged that the toggle can be moved slightly past dead center so that it will also be .a self -locking toggle as described in connection with the previous forms of this invention.

The member .35 or the member 4| or 'both of such members may be formed of spring-y material and :a yield may occur in either or both of such members. The looped portion 42 provides a part which is readily yielda'ble if the member 4| is formed of yieldable material.

The connector is so constructed that it provides a heavy contact pressure against the conductors and the parts are all formed of a metal having good electrical conductivity.

It will be seen that various forms of connectors have been provided by this invention which are, in effect, selt-locking toggles which may :be closed by means of a pair of pliers or in any other suitable manner and which, when closed, will provide high contact pressure against the conductors, the conductors being held in contact with each other as in one form of the invention hereinbefore described or held in contact with different portions of the connector as in other forms of the invention.

In all forms oi. the invention good electrical contact is made with the conductors and no auxiliary parts are required such as screws, nuts, bolts or other members of this type for holding the connector in closed position. Instead the connector inherently holds itself in closed position and produces a heavy yielding contact pressure at all times. This is especially important in connectors and serves the additional purpose of compensating for any wear that may occur on the conductors due to swinging vibration or relative motion between the parts. It is well known that where connectors are employed and there is considerable swaying or vibration of the conductors that a certain amount of wear does occur and in certain types of connectors defective contacts result from this wear. With the connectors forming the subject matter of this invention, it is apparent that the yielding contact pressure compensates for any wear that may occur.

It will be seen further that the connectors forming the subject matter of this invention are of simple construction and may be cheaply and easily produced and may be readily applied or removed from the conductors.

While the connector has been described as primarily intended for connecting conductors, it nevertheless may be used for mechanical connection only and may, therefore, be made as strong as need be for the purpose intended.

The expression connector is intended to mean a connector which is supported by a conductor and which is employed to connect another con-- ductor thereto, and is not intended to mean an electric switch or other device of this nature.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

1. A connector for electrical conductors comprising a main member formed of yielding material and having a pair of spaced end portions, at least one end portion being shaped to receive a conductor, toggle link mechanism arranged to be extended to apply force outwardly towards each of said end portions to cause the conductor to bind against the said one end portion, said toggle link mechanism when extended being arranged to be moved slightly past dead center, and stop means for arresting the motion in one 6 direction of said toggle link mechanism when said toggle link mechanism is extended and is moved slightly past dead center, one element of said toggle link mechanism having a lip spaced from other portions of said connector when said toggle link mechanism is extended against which a tool may be forced to break the toggle.

2. A connector for connecting electrical conductors arranged to be suspended from one of said conductors comprising a main body portion having spaced ends arranged as curved arms adapted to receive conductors, toggle link mechanism having a pair of member joined at the knee of the toggle by a cylindrical portion formed on one member and received in a cylindrical socket formed in the other member, the outer ends of the members of said toggle link mechanism being arranged to bear against the conductors when said toggle link mechanism is moved slightly past dead center in one direction, and stop means for arresting further motion of said toggle link mechanism towards the said direction.

3. A connector for connecting electrical conductors arranged to be suspended from one of said conductors comprising a main body portion having spaced ends arranged as curved arms adapted to receive conductors, toggle link mechanism having a pair of members joined at the knee of the toggle by a cylindrical portion formed on one member and received in a cylindrical socket formed in the other member, the outer ends of the members of said toggle link mechanism being arranged to bear against the conductors When said toggle link mechanism is moved slightly past dead center in one direction, stop means for arresting further motion of said toggle link mechanism towards the said direction, and means for preventing inadvertent separation of said toggle link mechanism from said main body portion when said connector is removed from the conductors.

GEORGE J. HAUS'MAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 812,287 Nagel Feb. 13, 1906 1,257,040 Steuernagel Feb. 19, 1913 1,901,493 Bowie Mar. 24, 1933 2,292,746 Donald Aug. 11, 1942 2,314,714 Kouyoumjian Mar. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 437,900 Great Britain of 1935 619,030 Germany Sept. 20, 1935 

